Professor Barry Barton

Barry Barton is a Professor of Law at the University of Waikato, and Director of the Centre of Environmental, Resources and Energy Law. His field of research is energy, natural resources and environmental law.

In Energy Cultures, Barry has examined the legal framework for energy efficiency in New Zealand, comparing it with those of other countries. He has particularly explored the difficulties of getting energy efficiency improvements in rental accommodation.

In other research, he has worked on the legal dimension of energy markets and energy regulation in New Zealand. He also works on mining law and new uses of the subsurface. Most of his work on mining concerns Canada, where he worked for some years.

The third aspect of his work is environmental law, with a particular emphasis on property in natural resources. and coastal zone research. Most recently he has completed a report on new law for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in New Zealand.

Barry is involved in the work of the International Bar Association, in the Academic Advisory Group of the Section of Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law. He is a director of the Environmental Defence Society (www.eds.org.nz).